I spent a few weeks in Joplin Mossouri. It's kind of boring compared to the Bay Area; but I am seriously thinking about living there, at least part time. There's a zen like charm to that area--and it's not just because it's hot. The people were genuine, honestly nice, and trustworthy. The people ate horrid compared to our standards, drank, and smoked, but I have never saw so many functional old people. I met guys who were pushing 90--still working, driving across the country to see their girlfriend, and genuinely active? It was like walking in an episode of the Twilight Zone. It was probally just my subjective observations, but family and friends seem to have stronger bonds than here, they believe in a higher power, there was definetly less pollution, and housing was dirt cheap. It was definetly different than what I was expecting.